According to a blog posted on the BlackBerry Web site by Luke Reimer, the company’s social media manager. Reimer writes that the update affects BlackBerry resellers, app developers, and everything in between. “If you’re providing support and services around BlackBerry, or reselling BlackBerry solutions, there are a few exciting changes to the BlackBerry Partner Support Services (BPSS) program that we’d like to share. The goal of these changes is to ensure that you’re able to collaborate with BlackBerry to provide your customers with top notch support.

Reimer outlines the following changes below as they appear in his blog post:· New program levels with new options to enable partners to price their programs more efficiently and have more consistent margins.

· We’ve created a more comprehensive program by providing more options for accessing BlackBerry support representatives. New entrance criteria offering discounts tied to BlackBerry Certification.

“Previously, the partner support program operated on a per-incident model,” Reimer writes. “We’ve heard your feedback and recognize the need for a more consistent cost structure that aligns to the way you do business, which is why we’re introducing per-user (device) per-month fees. This enables you to price your programs more efficiently and have consistent margins.”

BlackBerry is also adding more flexible access based on each individual partner’s need. “Whether it’s a small issue or you need extensive troubleshooting, the options are much more comprehensive,” Reimer writes. “Lastly, while Tier 3 support customers had an upfront program fee in the past, we’re now requiring BlackBerry certification – which many of you already have.”

For more information, go to partners.blackberry.com for an overview of the BlackBerry Partner Support Services program, to register, and to view program updates as they become available.

Partners can also extend their current offering by becoming a reseller of the BlackBerry Technical Support Services program, which enables them to provide customers with additional services without having to commercialize your own offerings.